Women Writing Opera
Subtitle: Creativity and Controversy in the Age of the French Revolution (Studies on the History of Society and Culture)
Edition: 1 edition
Publisher: University of California Press
Published: August 6, 2001
Language: eng
Format: Hardcover
Number of pages: 385
ISBN-13: 9780520226531
Subjects: European history: c 1750 to c 1900; Opera; Women's studies; c 1700 to c 1800; History - General History; France; Women librettists; Music; Europe; Europe - France; Genres & Styles - Opera; Women's Studies - History; History / General; History & Criticism - General; 18th century; Women composers
First sentence: The presence of women in the history of French opera has largely de upon two factors: the relative openness of theaters to composers and librettists in general, and the accessibility and propriety of the domi operatic genres for women.
Description: "In the age of the French Revolution opera was the locus of cabals, intrigues, and violent journalistic invective; yet, during this period, women composers and librettists gained access to concert halls as never before, their works among those most performed in Paris. Jacqueline Letzter and Robert Adelson's engaging history explains what made this possible.

At the same time it demonstrates how the Revolution fostered many dreams and ambitions for women that would be doomed to disappointment in the repressive post-Revolutionary era.".

"The first part of the book concentrates on the women who succeeded in bringing their operas to the stage. The book's second half is a detailed case study of Isabelle de Charriere (1740-1805), a prolific author and composer who witnessed the success of her female colleagues but was unable to gain recognition for herself. In an analytical epilogue, Letzter and Adelson discuss the status of creative women in Revolutionary culture and society."--BOOK JACKET.